Becker, I have a Echo Pete Ericson Shadow 11' 4 wt. Love it , Love it , Love it , wish they had made 5 wt in 11'. For nymphing a longer rod beats a shorter rod more times than not. I do the Trout Spey thing regularly. Longer rod= longer reach, makes mending easier also makes controlling your drift if Euro style a lot easier too. Aside from small stream work ( I use a 7'6" 4/5 wt rod} I use a 10' rod or longer more often than not. Is it necessary to use a rod 10' or longer to catch fish. Nope. Does using the longer rod make you a better angler because it is longer... Nope. Only time on the water, proper presentation, and experience will make you a better angler. Is this important? Depends on your mindset. If flyfishing is a competitive sport and that is your thing a longer rod is mandatory tool for success. If you just enjoy being out on the water enjoying nature's show and petting a few fish that's also great. To each their own. I really Like Echo , and their Spey Rods are highly respected in the Spey part of flyfishing.

Wow, am I surprised the moderator that does not fish and the professional troll decided to comment on a thread that I am involved in? L O F'n L way to predictable. Hey if it is not your thing....ya know glass and swinging wets it is horrible. Such we are going to try to humiliate our internet buddies because they fish in a way that you do not, I midaswell join in.

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Posted on: 2013/7/29 13:40

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“My mom is being eaten by a dog and there’s nothing I can do!”

Anyways, not sure how I'm a "professional Internet troll," mainly for two reasons. One, I don't make money on it. Two, I simply used an illustration to back up your suggestion that there's times when every foot counts.

Anyways, you see those new reels designed specifically for this style of fishing? Probably not comp legal, but they're pretty awesome none the less. Check it out.